---- since we set off on our travels. Two whole years - doesn’t seem like it though! And, yes, we're still loving every minute and still have absolutely no regrets about taking to this life.
Total miles and locks below as usual but the two year stats are interesting!
Year one: 1073 miles and 943 locks
Year two: 609 miles and 368 locks
As you can see, it took us quite some time at the beginning to get into the “continuous cruiser” mode - I think we’re now in it don’t you?!
Today we are moored between locks 2 and 3 of the Audlem flight at Coxbank pointing south loving these hot sunny days and it’s only March. Unbelievable really. Dai looks like a ripe tomato. I just don’t get it - we’ve been as long in the same sunshine and I still look so pasty!!
Our roof is looking like a wood yard extension again!! Just as we were running a wee bit low, BW came and pruned a load of ash trees by the lock at the Shroppie Fly pub. They told Dai he could help himself at the end of the day when they had done, so we were on full alert. Ha ha!! Obviously not as alert as some locals who were standing by with a huge trailer!! Oh no, I had visions of men and logs in the canal as they fought for the best bits! But no, there was plenty for everyone so hopefully now we won’t need any more until next autumn time.
Dai is having to do without his Girly Button for a bit. The bow thruster is damaged and can’t be fixed until Jandai is out of the water in September when she has her bottom blacked. George from Audlem Boat Services came along and gave us the diagnosis and was quite upset that he couldn’t fix it but we totally understand the issue and didn’t want flooding and subsequent sinking for him to fix it !
Met more lovely bloggers this week - Les and Jacqueline of NB Valerie. Don’t forget the Eccles cakes from Chirk butcher when you get there!
Since last blog we have done … 1 miles and 11 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1682 miles and 1311 locks
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
1300 locks
---- since we set off on our travels a week short of 2 years ago!
Not a lot to tell you this week. We left Nantwich pointing south, spent a few days at Coole Pilate (one of my favourite moorings) and are now at Audlem on the embankment before the Shroppie Fly lock. Glorious sunshine since an hour or so ago and less than a week before the clocks go back - wonderful!
Oh, of course, there was the matter of Wales winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations rugby last Saturday - much celebration here, toasted by Welsh Whiskey which I bought Dai about 2 years ago. Well, it seemed a good time to open it!
I’m busy sewing new liners for the boat curtains - bit of a long job with no sewing machine, good job I like hand sewing isn’t it! I have washed the old ones as I replaced them but only good for rags - the dirt came out but no the fading. Well, they have been up for 3 years so can’t really complain.
Audlem flight of locks next and the next town is Market Drayton.
Since last blog we have done … 6 miles and 4 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1681 miles and 1300 locks
Not a lot to tell you this week. We left Nantwich pointing south, spent a few days at Coole Pilate (one of my favourite moorings) and are now at Audlem on the embankment before the Shroppie Fly lock. Glorious sunshine since an hour or so ago and less than a week before the clocks go back - wonderful!
Oh, of course, there was the matter of Wales winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations rugby last Saturday - much celebration here, toasted by Welsh Whiskey which I bought Dai about 2 years ago. Well, it seemed a good time to open it!
I’m busy sewing new liners for the boat curtains - bit of a long job with no sewing machine, good job I like hand sewing isn’t it! I have washed the old ones as I replaced them but only good for rags - the dirt came out but no the fading. Well, they have been up for 3 years so can’t really complain.
Audlem flight of locks next and the next town is Market Drayton.
Since last blog we have done … 6 miles and 4 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1681 miles and 1300 locks
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Bit of a disappointment
----- was the length of Shropshire Union canal between Barbridge Junction and Chester. Can’t really explain why but the only place we enjoyed mooring was near Beeston Castle between Bridges 108 and 109. Was a disappointment as we hadn’t been on this stretch before and were looking forward to it. Yes, Chester itself is a lovely city but they don’t seem to care much about the canal as the moorings looked dire. We had been advised by several boaters to moor at the City Walls at Bridge 123E before the Northgate Staircase Locks (right by a big Tesco) as it was a bit pointless going any further unless we planned to go on to Ellesmere Port.
We did moor at Christleton before hitting Chester which is a delightful village but the only place we could moor was opposite a boatyard right next to the Cheshire Cat pub. Now we do like pubs but not mooring directly by them! But to be fair, there was no noise or carrying-ons so from that point of view it was OK.
Caught the bus from Christleton to Chester and spent a few hours wandering around the city and doing a bit of shopping and checking out the “Tesco” moorings. Decided after seeing the moorings that we could not bother coming any further than Christleton.
Great rugby last weekend - Wales won and for once Dai cheered on England as they beat France! Final games next weekend and Wales well up for the Grand Slam!
Had a couple of sessions in the Shady Oak pub (at Bridge 109) - it has only been re-opened a couple of weeks. Good beer - Black Sheep, one of our flavourites - sorry, mean favourites!! Good basic menu - we had their hot beef and onion baguette with chips and salad for around £7 and it was delicious and big enough meal even for Dai ! Also had Sunday lunch there which again was good value at £10.75 for three courses. Now, I never really like Sunday dinner out as it is so rare that I get vegetables cooked as I like them (almost raw) and unfortunately this was the case ---- however, the roast beef was some of the best I have ever had. Dai had lamb which he also raved about and as he can eat well cooked veg if necessary, cleared his plate completely!
Talking about pubs closing and re-opening under new management, we had our second taste of this happening this last week! The Barbridge Inn at Barbridge Junction has re-opened after refurbishment and change of hands. Good real ale but the lunchtime menu was very expensive - £10 for a burger at lunchtime?? I don’t think so. Don’t know if same menu in the evening as we didn’t look but - to be fair - some boaters moored next to us did eat in the evening and said the food was good and plentiful.
Back at Nantwich now - and again, not able to moor on the Embankment as still full of the same boats that were there mid January! I will be generous and surmise they are fully paid up members of the winter mooring rentals gang!
Since last blog we have done … 23 miles and 10 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1675 miles and 1296 locks
We did moor at Christleton before hitting Chester which is a delightful village but the only place we could moor was opposite a boatyard right next to the Cheshire Cat pub. Now we do like pubs but not mooring directly by them! But to be fair, there was no noise or carrying-ons so from that point of view it was OK.
Caught the bus from Christleton to Chester and spent a few hours wandering around the city and doing a bit of shopping and checking out the “Tesco” moorings. Decided after seeing the moorings that we could not bother coming any further than Christleton.
Great rugby last weekend - Wales won and for once Dai cheered on England as they beat France! Final games next weekend and Wales well up for the Grand Slam!
Had a couple of sessions in the Shady Oak pub (at Bridge 109) - it has only been re-opened a couple of weeks. Good beer - Black Sheep, one of our flavourites - sorry, mean favourites!! Good basic menu - we had their hot beef and onion baguette with chips and salad for around £7 and it was delicious and big enough meal even for Dai ! Also had Sunday lunch there which again was good value at £10.75 for three courses. Now, I never really like Sunday dinner out as it is so rare that I get vegetables cooked as I like them (almost raw) and unfortunately this was the case ---- however, the roast beef was some of the best I have ever had. Dai had lamb which he also raved about and as he can eat well cooked veg if necessary, cleared his plate completely!
Talking about pubs closing and re-opening under new management, we had our second taste of this happening this last week! The Barbridge Inn at Barbridge Junction has re-opened after refurbishment and change of hands. Good real ale but the lunchtime menu was very expensive - £10 for a burger at lunchtime?? I don’t think so. Don’t know if same menu in the evening as we didn’t look but - to be fair - some boaters moored next to us did eat in the evening and said the food was good and plentiful.
Back at Nantwich now - and again, not able to moor on the Embankment as still full of the same boats that were there mid January! I will be generous and surmise they are fully paid up members of the winter mooring rentals gang!
Since last blog we have done … 23 miles and 10 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1675 miles and 1296 locks
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| this same structure is at two consecutive locks (Stone Lock and Tilstone Lock) but sadly both looking a bit unloved |
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| Chester Cathedral (£6 adult entrance fee) |
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| Beautiful clock in Chester |
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| obligatory tourist photo of Chester |
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| obligatory tourist photo of Chester number 2 |
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| No, we decided not to come down and moor in Chester itself |
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Yellow Pencil
-------- this is our saying for when we are doing a stretch of canal not done before!! We actually do have a UK map with all the waterways on and mark it with yellow highlighter pen where we have cruised on Jandai. Dai has done lots of canal that I haven’t done as he hired for donkeys years before we met. Where we are cruising now is "yellow pencil" for Dai, me and Jandai ---- ooooer, and Foxxie too!
We are on our way towards Chester still on the Shropshire Union but past Barbridge Junction (where you can turn onto the Middlewich Branch). It’s a wide canal (like a river for most of it!!) with wide locks which are sooooo slow to fill and empty - good job we’re in no rush !
So since restocking with provisions at Nantwich last weekend, we winded and came back past Hurleston locks, Barbridge Junction, Calveley, Bunbury (with its 2-lock staircase) and Beeston and tonight are moored just by Tattenhall Marina in the middle of nowhere!
Before we left Nantwich we had a curry at our favourite Indian restaurant there - The Red Melon - and a pint or two of Black Cat at The Crown Hotel.
For the first time ever since fitting the current aeriel last August, we couldn’t find any telly reception last night moored between the Stone Lock and the Iron Lock at Beeston - good job it isn’t the weekend yet as there’s more Six Nations rugby!
Since last blog we have done … 21 miles and 15 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1652 miles and 1286 locks
We are on our way towards Chester still on the Shropshire Union but past Barbridge Junction (where you can turn onto the Middlewich Branch). It’s a wide canal (like a river for most of it!!) with wide locks which are sooooo slow to fill and empty - good job we’re in no rush !
So since restocking with provisions at Nantwich last weekend, we winded and came back past Hurleston locks, Barbridge Junction, Calveley, Bunbury (with its 2-lock staircase) and Beeston and tonight are moored just by Tattenhall Marina in the middle of nowhere!
Before we left Nantwich we had a curry at our favourite Indian restaurant there - The Red Melon - and a pint or two of Black Cat at The Crown Hotel.
For the first time ever since fitting the current aeriel last August, we couldn’t find any telly reception last night moored between the Stone Lock and the Iron Lock at Beeston - good job it isn’t the weekend yet as there’s more Six Nations rugby!
Since last blog we have done … 21 miles and 15 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1652 miles and 1286 locks
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| sun's in my eyes! |
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| Locks are doubles from Barbridge junction into Chester but at the Iron Lock, Beeston, it is single passage only |
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| Dai and Jandai coming down the Iron Lock at Beeston - just a bit leaky! |
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| ruins of Beeston Castle |
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| here you can see why Beeston Castle was built where it was - it's on the top of the mount |
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Derr-der de-der-der
….. Why are woodpeckers making this noise when in really they don’t??? what I mean is, on cartoons they der-der but not in real life at 7 o’clock in the morning!! Well, it makes a change from being woken up by ducks a-quacking!! Twice this week the woodpeckers have done it ----- and don’t tell me they are chipping out their nests!!! Oh the joys of living in the countryside - it is truly wonderful.
This week we have moved from just before the Whitchurch Arm; down through the Grindley 3-lock staircase and the 3 more in the flight; down Povey’s Lock; Willeymoor Lock; Quoisley Lock; Marbury Lock to Wrenbury where we are moored right now. There is a ABC Leisureboats base here which is full of their hireboats which are also spread up the canal, moored on the offside for some way. Another month and most will be out all the time as this is reputed to be the system’s busiest canal.
After we had descended Grindley Locks we moored up and spent a “happy hour” topping up the diesel tank and our jerry cans from the garage which is right next to the canal. “Happy” as the price is 81.5 pence per litre which is about 5p or so cheaper than the last lot we bought. We then - for a change - decided to have a lunchtime pint so walked over the road to the Horse and Jockey. Can you believe it? Eight different real ales so a lot of deciding had to be done!! We also went for a chip cob each with grated cheese - yummy - real chips!
Wherever we moor, one of the first jobs to do is put out the bird feeders if there is somewhere to hang them on the towpath - I would guess they get out about 70% of the time. Usual diners are tits (blue and great mainly) with the occasional sparrow and chaffinch. The robin then generally turns up and asserts his authority by flying at the others and invariably they dart away until his back is turned and they try again. The robin however cannot use any of the feeders as he keeps batting his wings so cannot get a foothold -- even on the seed feeder which has sticky-out bits at the hole where the bird pecks in for the seeds. No doubt you all know this but the reason I am saying all this is that last Monday we discovered the robin who can land on the fat-ball feeder and the peanut feeder and feed. First time we have seen this - you see, no matter how many times you see the norm, something/body/bird comes along and does the opposite!!
Yes - definitely noticing its getting warmer now - both during the day and night. Boat back doors being left open - much to Foxxie’s delight so she can come and go, on and off as she pleases and we travelled yesterday without coats, hats, gloves, thermals, etc etc. just sweatshirts. Before we know it, out will come the sandals and shorts!!
Since last blog we have done … 12 miles and 10 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1631 miles and 1271 locks
This week we have moved from just before the Whitchurch Arm; down through the Grindley 3-lock staircase and the 3 more in the flight; down Povey’s Lock; Willeymoor Lock; Quoisley Lock; Marbury Lock to Wrenbury where we are moored right now. There is a ABC Leisureboats base here which is full of their hireboats which are also spread up the canal, moored on the offside for some way. Another month and most will be out all the time as this is reputed to be the system’s busiest canal.
After we had descended Grindley Locks we moored up and spent a “happy hour” topping up the diesel tank and our jerry cans from the garage which is right next to the canal. “Happy” as the price is 81.5 pence per litre which is about 5p or so cheaper than the last lot we bought. We then - for a change - decided to have a lunchtime pint so walked over the road to the Horse and Jockey. Can you believe it? Eight different real ales so a lot of deciding had to be done!! We also went for a chip cob each with grated cheese - yummy - real chips!
Wherever we moor, one of the first jobs to do is put out the bird feeders if there is somewhere to hang them on the towpath - I would guess they get out about 70% of the time. Usual diners are tits (blue and great mainly) with the occasional sparrow and chaffinch. The robin then generally turns up and asserts his authority by flying at the others and invariably they dart away until his back is turned and they try again. The robin however cannot use any of the feeders as he keeps batting his wings so cannot get a foothold -- even on the seed feeder which has sticky-out bits at the hole where the bird pecks in for the seeds. No doubt you all know this but the reason I am saying all this is that last Monday we discovered the robin who can land on the fat-ball feeder and the peanut feeder and feed. First time we have seen this - you see, no matter how many times you see the norm, something/body/bird comes along and does the opposite!!
Yes - definitely noticing its getting warmer now - both during the day and night. Boat back doors being left open - much to Foxxie’s delight so she can come and go, on and off as she pleases and we travelled yesterday without coats, hats, gloves, thermals, etc etc. just sweatshirts. Before we know it, out will come the sandals and shorts!!
Since last blog we have done … 12 miles and 10 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1631 miles and 1271 locks
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
hotter than Hawaii
Well, apparently so for tomorrow!! Forecast says we will see around 16 degrees C - got to be some drastic change from today then as its blowing a gale and just started to rain. Ok, so the outside thermometer is registering 10 degrees but with the wind chill it must be around 0 degrees.
Moored today at the top of the Prees Branch just through Bridge 46 otherwise known as Whixall Moss Roving Bridge. Dai wants to purchase a bigger funnel to decant diesel from jerry cans into the boat tank so less is lost into the canal so we walked down the Prees Branch as BW have a chandlery there at the Whixall Marina. What we forgot is that you can’t actually get across the canal from the towpath ---- unless you swim --- so mission not accomplished.
Boat movement now decreased as half term over (although I understand there are some schools on holiday this week) so no more watching hire boat antics - not until Easter anyway!
We stayed over last weekend at Ellesmere when this time we did venture out to sample the local beers. Called into the pub past the Ellesmere hotel, turn right past the Indian - no name outside and can’t remember what it is called. Last year it was up for sale and has now been bought and apparently doing well. Good. Real old fashioned pub selling beer at £2 a pint !! We didn’t try that but did have some other real ale at £2.60 a pint which is fairly “cheap” from what we have been paying lately. It was good. Also called into the Black Lion. Now, 2 years ago we went there and walked out after about 3 swallows of beer as it was disgusting so ventured in with some trepidation. However, the beer was good so we’ll just say that the previous pint must have been “off” and the Black Lion is back on our list of acceptable pubs!!
First snow of this winter last week! We woke up on Sunday to about half-an-inch but it was all gone by lunchtime as the sun shone brilliantly all day although temp didn’t get much above 0 all day.
Since last blog we have done … 11 miles and 0 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1619 miles and 1261 locks
Moored today at the top of the Prees Branch just through Bridge 46 otherwise known as Whixall Moss Roving Bridge. Dai wants to purchase a bigger funnel to decant diesel from jerry cans into the boat tank so less is lost into the canal so we walked down the Prees Branch as BW have a chandlery there at the Whixall Marina. What we forgot is that you can’t actually get across the canal from the towpath ---- unless you swim --- so mission not accomplished.
Boat movement now decreased as half term over (although I understand there are some schools on holiday this week) so no more watching hire boat antics - not until Easter anyway!
We stayed over last weekend at Ellesmere when this time we did venture out to sample the local beers. Called into the pub past the Ellesmere hotel, turn right past the Indian - no name outside and can’t remember what it is called. Last year it was up for sale and has now been bought and apparently doing well. Good. Real old fashioned pub selling beer at £2 a pint !! We didn’t try that but did have some other real ale at £2.60 a pint which is fairly “cheap” from what we have been paying lately. It was good. Also called into the Black Lion. Now, 2 years ago we went there and walked out after about 3 swallows of beer as it was disgusting so ventured in with some trepidation. However, the beer was good so we’ll just say that the previous pint must have been “off” and the Black Lion is back on our list of acceptable pubs!!
First snow of this winter last week! We woke up on Sunday to about half-an-inch but it was all gone by lunchtime as the sun shone brilliantly all day although temp didn’t get much above 0 all day.
Since last blog we have done … 11 miles and 0 locks
Total since Setting Off ….. 1619 miles and 1261 locks
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Eccles Cakes Rule
After some deliberation last Thursday we decided to turn around and not carry on the last 4 miles to Llangollen. We have been over the Pontcysyllte aqueduct quite a few times before and heard that the towpath moorings up at Llangollen were full of winter moorers so it would mean going into the marina. As it was icy underfoot we decided not to do this as neither me nor Foxxie like frozen slippery pontoons!
So we are now making our way back down the Llangollen and think when we get to the bottom that we’ll turn left and go into Chester and then possibly down to Ellesmere Port. That’s the plan today but, who knows, it may change over the next couple of weeks!!
We had to de-ice the lift bridge at Froncysyllte last Thursday as I just couldn’t shift it with the windle. So, along came “muscle man” and (ha ha) he couldn’t shift anything either! So we ended up pouring boiling hot water between the bridge floor and the wooden beam it sits on when in the down position. That did it.
Stocked up in Chirk with meat from the butcher there plus a tin full of Eccles cakes which lasted until yesterday!! So good job we will be in Ellesmere tomorrow for shopping.
We were going to do the Montgomery Canal on our way back but have decided against it as we do need to get to some shops and today we walked down to the Queens Head pub which is about halfway down the navigable length. No ice at all now though. It’ll still be there when we come this way again and, who knows, maybe the restoration will have opened up some more by then.
Wales did good again last Sunday beating Scotland but no games this coming weekend. Next matches weekend of Feb 25 when Wales play England - exciting !!
Thought I'd share this link - I just love this Aldi TV ad - first seen last night
Aldi tea ad
So we are now making our way back down the Llangollen and think when we get to the bottom that we’ll turn left and go into Chester and then possibly down to Ellesmere Port. That’s the plan today but, who knows, it may change over the next couple of weeks!!
We had to de-ice the lift bridge at Froncysyllte last Thursday as I just couldn’t shift it with the windle. So, along came “muscle man” and (ha ha) he couldn’t shift anything either! So we ended up pouring boiling hot water between the bridge floor and the wooden beam it sits on when in the down position. That did it.
Stocked up in Chirk with meat from the butcher there plus a tin full of Eccles cakes which lasted until yesterday!! So good job we will be in Ellesmere tomorrow for shopping.
We were going to do the Montgomery Canal on our way back but have decided against it as we do need to get to some shops and today we walked down to the Queens Head pub which is about halfway down the navigable length. No ice at all now though. It’ll still be there when we come this way again and, who knows, maybe the restoration will have opened up some more by then.
Wales did good again last Sunday beating Scotland but no games this coming weekend. Next matches weekend of Feb 25 when Wales play England - exciting !!
Thought I'd share this link - I just love this Aldi TV ad - first seen last night
Aldi tea ad
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| just locking up as we go for a walk down the Montgomery Canal |
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| we think this must be an old water pump on the Montgomery Canal. Spotted a few during first 4 miles of the canal from Frankton Locks. Are they? If not, what are they? |
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| on the Montgomery Canal by Graham Palmer Lock. Pity his face is wearing away |
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| Foxxie intent on something (which she didn't catch) |
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| ---- instead of usual max speed of 4 mph. Slower speed because of rare weeds growing side of Montgomery Canal |
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| several of these seen on Montgomery Canal. Dai says they are owl boxes - is he right? |
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